Systema - My unexpected introduction to Russian Martial Arts & Hand to Hand Combat.

   

Photo Credit: www.strengthbox.ca

I'm a firm believer that everyone needs to take a good solid punch now and then... and I'm at the top of that list.. I REALLY need to be hit sometimes... 
I had the opportunity to attend a seminar in Toronto a few weeks ago at Strengthbox, the premier Canadian crossfit gym in Southern Ontario. The course was split into two parts - the first being a session with Kettlebell Master Steve Maxwell, and the second being an introduction to Systema class with Max Franz.. I'll talk more about the Maxwell session in a different post, so that I can focus on Systema, and getting punched.


Systema (Система) is the evolution of a Russian Martial Art that is based in the practical application of natural movement. It has no set patterns, making it unique to most other martial arts. Let it suffice to say that I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I signed up for this. After working with Steve Maxwell for half of a day, my body was pretty spent already. Enter Maxim Franz - former Soviet special forces sniper/trainer and all round cold-war badass.


Photo Credit: www.strengthbox.ca

Max took us through a series of breathing and prep drills to get our bodies ready. He did an overview of Systema breathing - which is (not surprisingly) somewhat similar in nature to Russian Kettlebell Hardstyle breathing, but quite a bit calmer. In fact, the entire process was very strong. Max didn't break a sweat as he systematically (no pun intended) worked his way through evasive tactics vs. Brazillian Ju Jitsu and MMA Fighters, warding them off from himself until he could land something to debilitate, or take his opponent out of commission. They like to call this helping their opponent to release their tension. How kind.



Maxim Franz giving a "massage" at the end of class. 

We spent a lot of time on Systema style pushups, which are loose bodied knuckle pushups. They are similar to a regular pushup, but instead of completely locking in, you almost do a sort of body scan - moving and shifting around through your joints and identifying/eliminating tension. As a practitioner gets better at it, they move around on their knuckles a lot, stretching and mobilizing. It was challenging to do, but I see how with practice, it could almost become peaceful. A few of the more skilled folks could walk up walls with their knuckles.
I was fascinated by the impact of breath control - and got to see and experience it in action. Watching the graceful movements coming out of such strong and rigid people was amazing. Max had brought his 12 year old son along, and I watched him drop half the class to the ground with minimal, passive effort.

I also had the opportunity to experience a legit Systema Strike, or punch - to the center of my sternum. A Systema Strike is a very loose handed, almost casual wave of a punch that can be thrown from very short distances with minimal effort ( but tremendous skill) on the behalf of the thrower, and a quick, massive, explosive, windknocking for the recipient. Bruce Lee is known for a similar sort of short motion strike. Anyway... at one point in the class, Max came to check in on me and asked how I was doing, how my back was holding out, etc. He then said 'Hey - How is your chest?" - I said "Its fine." - and then I took the strike from him - dead center. It looked like he barely moved, but I had the wind knocked out of me for a bit, and a wicked yellow bruise on my chest for about a week. 

The weird thing is - It felt GOOD. Like I NEEDED that. I honestly thought the short, three inch or so punch was bullshit. Its the real deal. 

So after a four hour session, can I answer - What is Systema?  Right now to me - Systema is about tension and fear. It is about controlling what you can - and doing it completely and entirely - and relinquishing consideration and thought of what you cannot. Its about understanding your fear - embracing it - and growing through it. I'm sure I'll have more to say as I learn more - but for now, that's where it stands.

If you're in Buffalo and interested in checking out more - my friend Matt Meyer is putting together a Systema Intro class on July 12th at Williamsville Crossfit. It runs for about 2 hours and can accommodate any adult age, and most fitness levels. Ill be there.

Also, Check out this video... which is pretty cool ;)